Utah outperforms nation in some education metrics; lags in others

September 3, 2026 - 22:35

A recent report from Utah State University paints a complicated picture of education in the state. While Utah students are beating national averages in several key areas, significant gaps remain, especially when looking at differences between male and female students.

The study found that Utah's high school graduation rate continues to sit above the national figure. Reading and math scores in early grades also show Utah students performing better than their peers across the country. Those are clear wins for the state's education system.

But the news is not all good. The same report highlights a persistent gender gap in certain subjects. In advanced math and science courses, boys continue to outpace girls in both enrollment and test performance. Meanwhile, girls are more likely to take advanced English and language arts classes and tend to score higher in those areas.

The gap does not stop at academics. The study also points to differences in career readiness. Boys are more likely to pursue technical education tracks, while girls lean toward college preparatory paths. That split may be limiting options for both groups later on.

Researchers at Utah State suggest the state needs to look closer at why these gaps exist. They argue that addressing them early could help close long-term achievement differences. The report does not offer a single solution but calls for more targeted support in schools, especially in middle and high school.

For now, Utah can celebrate its overall performance, but the data makes it clear that there is still work to do to make sure every student has an equal shot at success.